This is a blog about sexy witches of all varieties: elegant, attractive, pretty, cute, hot, naughty and femme fatales; real life witches; people dressed up as witches; witches in fiction, film and art: they will all be here in time, so stay tuned.

Tintype Witches (almost), 1875

When is a sexy witch, not a sexy witch? Or rather, when does an image seem to depict a sexy witch, but on closer examination not depict either a witch or a sexy witch? I dabbled with this question during the Halloween Countdown in 2009, with a series of posts on “stuff I leave out.” These posts covered images of witches who were too young for inclusion (no.1), women with misleadingly broad-brimmed hats (no.2 and no.4) and women who are described as witches, but who are only described thus figuratively (usually, because they are either very naughty, or because they are so sexy that their allure acts like magic; no.3).

Sadly, I could do many more posts showing items I bought on spec but had to reject when I got a chance to get a closer look at them. I could also do quite a few posts showing items I bought knowing that the image wouldn’t qualify for this blog. Indeed, I have been buying more of these marginal items recently, precisely because they help define the margins (especially between clown/witch). But this one I bought because the image is just so unbelievably awesome and because it is so wacky that it might actually have been intended to allude to witches.

As you can see, here we have four young women (Sexy? Tick), the fourth one is holding a broom (Witch paraphernalia? Another tick), the first one has a misleadingly-broad-brimmed hat, with a convenient shadow suggesting a pointed crown (Witch’s hat? Almost a tick), and two middle one are cradling a taxidermied raptor—an eagle perhaps—(Gothic paraphernalia? Another tick).

Since the first woman holds a dustpan and brush it seems likely that the fourth woman is holding a broom for cleaning purposes. But, if so, WTF is going on with the dead bird?! It is all very confusing. (To say nothing of the fact that if these girls could step out of this tintype would look perfectly at home at a goth bar. In fact they would knock the torn fishnets off some of the competition.)

After looking at the image for a while I realised I really didn’t care that it was not clear, or even unlikely, that this image depicted four witches: I wanted the photo so that these four gothic beauties could come to Melbourne and live with me. For ever. And even though it is not clear, or even unlikely, that this image depicts four witches, I thought some of you might like to see it too.

@Morgan: Sounds fun, reading photos…. I read faces… but the girl standing on extreme left doesnt sound like a servant to me..
@SCOTT: yes, i also think its an owl… or may be a smaller species of eagles

Sadly, I think you could be right Morgan. Looking at the photo again with this in mind I note that only the two central figures are wearing jewelry, their hair is also more highly dressed, and their hats are small and decorative (and presumably more expensive) whereas the figures on the ends wear large (and cheap) straw hats. It is still an odd image, but at least it makes some sense now. Thanks!

It sounds like a great history class—the sort of thing I’d love to do. Obviously, from this distance, that isn’t an option, but I wonder: did you use any textbooks or were you given any references that I could follow up?

Dantalion: I got it off eBay a while back.

Chas: indeed, though I have another vintage cleaner-not-a-witch photo which I might just post.

Scott: I wondered that, but I am not familiar enough with the US owls … like aliabas I thought the beak more like a small eagle, but again, I am not familiar enough with the US eagles.

And Twixraider, I do like the film, and watched it just in case, but Kiki is thirteen, so not suitable for here!

What an amazing photo, I like it a lot! Got another curious one showing a witch’s air traffic trouble whilst Walpurgisnacht but I donnot know how resp. where to send it to you. The photo shows a statue of a sexy witch riding a broomstick. It was sculptured by a man called Prof. E. Herter and I think this statue was made in early 20th century. I didn’t find it in you amazing witch fund I enjoy a lot.

I don’t think the bird is actually dead.If you look closely you will see that the two women in the middle are holding its head and feet pretty hard so it wouldn’t fly. If it was dead the grip wouldn’t be so firm.

Hi!
I was just wondering if you were approached and credited by FX Network (AHS) as the owner of this image?
Two of my tintypes have been used by them and I was never asked…..
All the best to you!
Caroline

Awesome find! Agreed, it does not really matter what this is, but I’ll go with WITCHES! Their expressions also add to the mystic. Very cool. The one on the right reminds me of Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice!